Ducati Marlboro's Casey Stoner (Photo: Ducati Corse) » More Photos

Rossi was able to pick up his Yamaha M1 and continue, eventually finishing 11th but conceding his lead in the world championship in the process.

At the halfway mark, after nine races, Stoner has now surged from 50 points behind to just 29 adrift of the new leader Pedrosa with Rossi second. Pedrosa has 171 points, Rossi 167 and Stoner 142, Jorge Lorenzo 114, with Edwards fifth on 98.

Stoner and Rossi have three wins apiece with Pedrosa two and Lorenzo one.

Stoner's main opponent in the race was his own nerves as he knew he was the only one who could cost Ducati victory.

"For the first six laps I was nervous because I knew I was the only who could screw this up, and it also looked like it could rain at any time," Stoner said. "But it is a very nice feeling to be competitive again and running in front. I'm sorry Valentino crashed because this isn't the way I want to recover points but I've had my share of bad luck this season."

This was Rossi's first non-podium finish of the season, having battled a bent handlebar and broken gear shift lever after the crash.

"After seven podiums I made a mistake; this is racing," Rossi said. "I was too hard on the brakes and I lost the rear but I really think I could have been faster than Pedrosa today. It's easy to say now, but I could have fought with Stoner for the win."

The downside to Rossi's early error was the elimination of De Puniet, who has had a dismal season of self-induced crashes although today he was the innocent victim. Rossi apologized later but after qualifying fifth De Puniet could have expected a confidence boosting result.

"I was in the wrong place at the wrong time and the LCR team deserved a lot better than this. I'm very disappointed as I could have fought for a good result," De Puniet said.

After two races in six days, Donington and Assen both won by Stoner, the MotoGP teams now regroup ahead of a tough doubleheader. The German GP is in two weeks followed by the U.S. Grand Prix at Laguna Seca on July 20.